In 2025, the UAE solidified its position as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, fueled by the thriving performance of non-oil sectors, substantive foreign and local investments, adaptable economic regulations, and a stable, secure environment conducive to business growth.
During the first half of 2025, the country’s non-oil foreign trade grew by 24.5%, reaching 1.7 trillion dirhams, which is 14 times the global growth rate.
According to the 2025 World Investment Report issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UAE ranked tenth globally in foreign direct investment inflows, amounting to 167.6 billion dirhams.
The International Monetary Fund raised its growth forecast for the UAE economy to 4.8% for 2025. Moreover, agencies such as Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P Global reaffirmed the country’s sovereign rating, underscoring the strength and sustainability of its economic performance and financial policies.
Data from the Central Bank of the UAE revealed that total banking assets reached 5.199 trillion dirhams by the end of September 2025, with total credit nearing 2.478 trillion dirhams for the same period. The bank also launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026–2030, aimed at enhancing individuals’ access to financial services and improving the financial stability framework.
The UAE’s real GDP grew by 4.2%, totaling 929 billion dirhams in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The non-oil GDP saw an increase of 5.7%, amounting to 720 billion dirhams, with the non-oil sectors contributing 77.5% to the real GDP, while oil-related activities accounted for 22.5% during the first half of the year.
The UAE approved a federal budget for the fiscal year 2026, totaling 92.4 billion dirhams, marking a record high compared to previous years.
In the industrial sector, five memorandum of understanding were signed between the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and several national banks to provide financing solutions exceeding 40 billion dirhams in support of the industrial sector. Additionally, the “Made in the UAE” platform concluded its fourth session, showcasing industrial projects that surpassed 11 billion dirhams, drawing over 122,000 visitors.
At the beginning of this year, the Cabinet approved the National Investment Strategy 2031, aimed at positioning the UAE as a leading investment destination and strategic hub for capital flows.
This strategy includes 12 national programs and 30 initiatives designed to elevate foreign direct investment inflows from 112 billion dirhams in 2023 to 240 billion by 2031, while increasing the foreign investment stock to over 2.2 trillion dirhams.
The Cabinet also announced the establishment of the National Investment Fund with an initial capital of 36.7 billion dirhams, subject to increase and review, to encourage the attraction of global investments to the UAE, as well as the endorsement of the UAE strategy for Islamic finance and the halal industry to enhance the country’s position as a leading global hub for Islamic finance.
In 2025, the UAE launched the UAE Future Companies list, featuring 50 startups across 15 future economic sectors, and initiated the national campaign “UAE, Capital of Entrepreneurs Worldwide,” aimed at training and incubating 10,000 entrepreneurs while providing thousands of economic opportunities in the ensuing years.
The country witnessed the registration of over 220,000 new companies from the start of the year until the end of November, alongside the registration of over 36,000 trademarks during the same period, marking a growth rate of 48.2% compared to the previous year.
The UAE continued to enhance its digital economy by launching several initiatives, including the “Digital Academy” for training national talents and the National Platform for Digital Economy Job Opportunities in collaboration with LinkedIn. There is also an incentive program aimed at empowering over 100,000 startups by 2029, along with the “Chief Technology Officer for the Digital Economy” initiative.
The UAE has solidified its role as a key gateway for international trade routes by expanding comprehensive economic partnerships with countries worldwide, announcing the “UAE as a Global Trade Hub” program targeting the attraction of the top 1,000 global companies in international trade, and launching a digital platform that connects UAE export companies with global markets.
By the end of September, the total number of registered national and international trademarks in the UAE reached 402,311, with 19,957 trademarks registered during the first half of the current year, reflecting a growth rate of 129% compared to the first half of 2024.